Patents Examined by Robert K. Schaffer
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Patent number: 4158285Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising an electronic wristwatch and a multifunction electronic calculator in a single wrist mountable case having a common display and keyboard. The watch portion of the watch/calculator includes time of day, calendar, stopwatch and alarm functions. Each of these functions can be controlled from the keyboard on the watch/calculator. The electronic calculator portion of the watch/calculator performs the four standard arithmetic functions: add, subtract, multiply and divide; and has an extra storage register. The calculator portion can perform calculations with scalar quantities entered via the keyboard or stored in the calculator as well as calculations with time interval and real time data from the watch portion. During the time that calculations are not being performed the calculator goes into a sleep or inactive mode in order to minimize the amount of battery power used by the watch/calculator.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1976Date of Patent: June 19, 1979Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventors: Edward A. Heinsen, Andre F. Marion, Thomas E. Osborne
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Patent number: 4150537Abstract: An electronic timepiece having a multi-digit display of time data and a plurality of frequency divider circuits which generates time data, which comprises operation testing and time correcting means including at least two test terminals, and also a manually operable selecting switch and a manually operable correcting switch. The electronic timepiece also comprises a circuit means which is arranged such that varying combinations of logic level voltages applied to the test terminals can be utilized to test various modes of operation of the frequency divider circuits, a part of such testing being accomplished in conjunction with a signal of relatively high frequency applied to a terminal of one of the manually operable switches.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1977Date of Patent: April 24, 1979Assignee: Citizen Watch Company LimitedInventors: Yoshifumi Mochizuki, Makoto Yoshida
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Patent number: 4146800Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for and method of generating electricity from wind energy.The apparatus comprises means such as a foraminous condenser plate and a condenser surface, e.g., the earth, for producing an electrostatic field in the open through which wind can blow, means such as needle points and balls or fine wires and cylinders capable of creating a corona discharge or equivalent ion or electron generator for producing charged particles to be entrained in and carried by the wind against the direction of movement imposed on the particles by the field, which results in an increase in the electric potential across the field, means such as a second foraminous plate or the earth for collecting the charged particles and means such as a high voltage power regulator and converter for making the increased potential available for utilization.The method comprises operations corresponding to the means, viz.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1975Date of Patent: March 27, 1979Inventors: Stephen E. Gregory, Alma K. Schurig
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Patent number: 4139780Abstract: A multi-channel generating system wherein each channel is provided with a permanent magnet generator (PMG) coupled directly to the output of a constant speed drive. An overrunning clutch is located between the PMG and the generator. The frequency of the signal from the PMG is proportional to the output speed of the constant speed drive. A circuit provides underspeed information if the speed, as indicated by the PMG, drops below a minimum speed represented by a reference voltage. The underspeed information controls the excitation and de-excitation of the generator exciter voltage and a line contactor switch.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1977Date of Patent: February 13, 1979Assignee: Sundstrand CorporationInventors: David J. Hucker, Timothy F. Glennon
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Patent number: 4128142Abstract: During the acceleration of an elevator car a command acceleration pattern in the form of frequency modulated clock pulses is counted by a first and a second counter. The first counter issues a command speed pattern. The speed pattern is integrated to calculate the distances of movement of the care which is successively stored in a random access memory at addresses determined by the speeds from the second counter, at equal increments of speed. During the deceleration the distances of movement succesively read out from the memory are compared with the residual distances to the stop floor and the second counter counts the results of the comparison down to produce an ideal speed curve. The curve supplied to the memory is also compared with the actual car speed to modify the command acceleration with the result that the actual speed follows up the ideal speed curve.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1977Date of Patent: December 5, 1978Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tsuyoshi Satoh, Kenzo Tachino
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Patent number: 4120225Abstract: An electronic organ in which rhythmic note patterns can be played on the accompaniment manual by the depression of a single key. The organ includes a source of rhythmic pulses which may, for example, be taken from the pulse source of a conventional rhythm unit. The accompaniment manual of the organ can be played in a conventional manner or it can be adjusted to play rhythmic note patterns during which the normal playing of the accompaniment manual is disabled and only a selected group of accompaniment keys, preferably a group of adjacent keys at the left end of the keyboard, are enabled for controlling the pattern to be played. When the organ is adjusted for pattern playing, each of the aforementioned group of keys is operable, when depressed, to initiate the playing of a pattern in conformity with stored memories and in further conformity with the respective one of the pattern controlling keys which is depressed.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1977Date of Patent: October 17, 1978Assignee: Kimball International, Inc.Inventors: Ralph Nowack Dietrich, John William Robinson
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Patent number: 4119898Abstract: A controller for a series electric motor is described of the type comprising means for applying D.C. pulses to the motor and means for controlling the mark/space ratio of the pulses applied to the motor. The current through the motor is sensed and the maximum mark/space ratio which may be applied to the motor is reduced when the motor current is below a predetermined limit to avoid overspeed in light load conditions.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1976Date of Patent: October 10, 1978Assignee: Cableform LimitedInventors: John Morton, Keith Drummond Stevens
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Patent number: 4114048Abstract: In order to maintain a balanced load between power rectifiers operating in parallel within an uninterruptible power system, individual closed loops are established for regulating the direct current voltage at the output of the rectifiers and an open loop generates a reference voltage for each of such regulations. An operational amplifier is used as a current source to develop a current representative of the load in a particular rectifier. Parallel current dissipating resistors between each rectifier line and a floating potential common to all rectifier lines generates a reference voltage which is proportional to the average of such current dissipations and represents the average rectifier load.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 1977Date of Patent: September 12, 1978Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: Robert E. Hull, Robert S. Gemp
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Patent number: 4101786Abstract: Apparatus, and a related method, for proportionately varying from a master unit the durations of irrigation at a plurality of valve stations controlled by a number of satellite units, and for transmitting over a single pair of wires control signals for starting a programmed sequence of valve operations at all of the satellites in a selected one of two groups of satellites, or for resetting all of the satellites to a "home" position. One disclosed embodiment includes adjustable timing circuitry in the master unit to generate a timing signal which is transmitted to the satellite units over a separate wire, and is utilized to vary the duty cycle of a station timing motor which measures the durations of irrigation. In an alternate embodiment, station timing at each satellite is measured by means of a digital pulse counter, and the irrigation times at all of the stations can be varied to the same degree by adjustment of a variable-frequency pulse generator at the master unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1976Date of Patent: July 18, 1978Assignee: Clemar Manufacturing CorporationInventors: Richard L. Ruggles, Vinod Panday
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Patent number: 4091246Abstract: Interlock means are described for protecting against the surreptitious entry into, and tampering with security type communication systems. A connector interlock plate is provided which prevents the removal of an access cover on the electronic device cabinet without the first removal of a standard cable connector assembly. Concurrently, removal of the cable assembly actuates an electrical switch which destroys the confidential information being stored and processed within the device.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1977Date of Patent: May 23, 1978Assignee: Burroughs CorporationInventors: Frank Carl Donofrio, Angelo Richard DiPietro
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Patent number: 4079651Abstract: This invention relates to a touch response sensor for an electronic musical instrument which may control the volume, pitch, tone-color or the like of the musical tones produced by the instrument upon depression of the key responsive to the key depressing pressure. In order to detect the key depressing pressure, the touch response sensor has an electrically conductive resilient member having two legs downwardly extending therefrom for producing resistance variations between contact pieces provided on a base plate under the resilient member in response to the key depressing pressure. The contact pieces are, for example, connected via lines to a voltage-controlled variable-frequency oscillator circuit, voltage-controlled variable filter circuit, voltage-controlled variable gain amplifier circuit or the like so as to vary the volume and the like of the tones in accordance with the key depressing pressure.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 1977Date of Patent: March 21, 1978Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shigeru Matsui
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Patent number: 4056733Abstract: A board of electrical insulating material has power conductors mounted on one side and work circuits mounted on the other side. A power source to actuate the work circuits is connected to the power conductors in a set sequence. Holes are provided through the board to receive conductive pins to electrically connect power conductors to work circuits to actuate each selected work circuit at a predetermined point in the set sequence.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 1976Date of Patent: November 1, 1977Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Floyd L. Prestridge
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Patent number: 4056033Abstract: A tone generator system for an electronic organ which is capable of being fabricated into an LSI structure and receives a saw-tooth wave or staircase wave as an input thereto comprises a frequency divider for the saw-tooth wave or staircase wave including a ladder resistor network and a complementary MOS FET devices, an analog switch having a wide dynamic range and a high linearity in input-output transfer characteristic constructed by MOS FET devices to serve as an indirect keying means, a sustain means including a novel structure of a variable impedance element which is constructed to control a channel current in a MOS FET device by varying the potential distribution in the source region, and an impedance coverter constructed by complementary MOS FET devices and free from a D.C. level shift. With the above arrangement a tone generator system of high quality for an electronic organ is provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1975Date of Patent: November 1, 1977Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Michihiro Inoue, Takeji Kimura, Masaharu Sato, Masahiko Tsunoo
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Patent number: 4052581Abstract: A switch is comprised of at least one leaf-like springy fixed contact, a movable contact, a supporting member for supporting the fixed contact and a positioning member for positioning the free end of the fixed contact. The leaf-like fixed contact is fixed by the supporting member at a position close to one end of the fixed contact, and is biased by the positioning member at a position close to the other end. Thus, the free end of the leaf-like springy fixed contact is placed at a position by its function of urging the positioning member.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1975Date of Patent: October 4, 1977Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shigeru Matsui
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Patent number: 4051383Abstract: Electrical harness comprises a plurality of conductors to which switches and electrical loads are connected. The connections between the conductors and loads or switches are made with a connecting device comprising an insulating body having a recess which receives the conductors in side-by-side parallel relationship. A conductor to which a connection is made is electrically exposed and a contact arm mounted on the body extends across the recess and contacts the exposed conductor. The load or switch is connected to the contact arm by a plug on the end of a lead wire which is inserted into the body and which engages the contact arm when it is inserted.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1976Date of Patent: September 27, 1977Assignee: AMP IncorporatedInventor: Frank Peter Dola
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Patent number: 4051421Abstract: A control system for effecting smooth braking resistor staging of a chopper controlled direct current electric motor. The control system utilizes auxiliary switches mechanically coupled to resistor by-pass contacts to sense actual motion of the by-pass contacts and to provide signals for reducing the chopper duty factor. In a preferred embodiment the chopper duty factor is reduced to an intermediate level between maximum and minimum duty factor by modification of an error signal representing the difference between actual motor current and commanded motor current so as to maintain the control system in a closed loop condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1975Date of Patent: September 27, 1977Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Richard Brinner, Thomas Deltor Stitt
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Patent number: 4045681Abstract: A cargo loading and unloading shutoff system is used to control transfer of loads between a cargo aircraft and a loading dock. Control logic means compares commands entered on a control console and the existing conditions in the aircraft and on the dock during a loading or unloading operation. On loading, the logic means shuts off the dock conveyor drive immediately when all loads are transferred to selected aircraft positions and then shuts off the aircraft conveyor drive a predetermined period later. On unloading, the logic means shuts off both the aircraft and dock conveyor drives simultaneously when all loads are transferred to selected dock positions. The logic means also prevents energization of the aircraft and dock conveyor drives when the number of load positions selected in the aircraft is different from the number of load positions selected on the dock.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1975Date of Patent: August 30, 1977Assignee: McDonnell Douglas CorporationInventor: Roger Boy de la Tour
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Patent number: 4042068Abstract: A traction elevator system in which the floor leveling device is active when the elevator door is open, and it is maintained active while the door is closing. The brake is partially released and the drive motor is activated when the elevator car receives a signal to start, and full release of the brake is initiated before the door, when closing, reaches the closed position, preparatory to a run. The leveling device, partial brake release and armature current buildup in the drive motor cooperate to provide a motor torque which exactly balances the unbalanced load, to hold the elevator car at floor level as the brake is fully released. When the door reaches the closed position, the car may be smoothly started without delay or "bump", as the brake is fully released and the unbalanced load is already compensated for.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1975Date of Patent: August 16, 1977Assignee: Westinghouse Electric CorporationInventors: William M. Ostrander, William J. Casper
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Patent number: 4035704Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for controlling the speed of an electric motor by selectively connecting a field weakening resistor across the field winding of an electric motor. A first means is provided for comparing the field voltage to a fixed reference voltage and for generating a first signal in response to the field voltage falling below a first predetermined value and a second signal in response to the field voltage rising above a second predetermined value. A second means responsive to the first and second signals is provided for selectively connecting a field weakening resistor across the field winding of the motor in response to the field voltage falling below the first predetermined value. The second means responsive also disconnects the field weakening resistor in response to the field voltage rising above the second predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 1975Date of Patent: July 12, 1977Assignee: Flight Systems, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. York
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Patent number: 4029969Abstract: A method of and a device for suppressing the leakage of radio waves radiated from a vehicle by using a bonding means which connects the opposing body portions in the positions of interstices which show the minimum leakage of radio waves therethrough when said opposing portions are not connected.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1975Date of Patent: June 14, 1977Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Kondo, Isamu Murata, Teruo Yamanaka